Official Texans vs. Panthers Game Thread, 9/23/2021

[Keith]

I assume Jeff Driskel will be the backup, but last I saw he was still on the practice squad. I guess I'm pessimistic on my expectations for Mills as a rookie. I don't think of Driskel as being a big drop from Mills in this game.

We'll see... hopefully Mills will surprise me.

[Arky]

Texans kicked off.

Both teams do a 3 and out.

Panthers have the ball for a 2nd time.

12:36 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Panthers put a drive together and Darnold keeps for the last 6 yards.

Panthers 7, Texans 0

6:36 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Panthers go for it on 4th and 1 inside the Texan 10 and the Texans get a stop. Ball turns over on downs. Texan's ball.

Still, Panther 7, Texans 0

10:47 left in the half.

Edit: McCaffrey with a hamstring injury.

[Arky]

Just when I was going to say the Texans have zero pass rush, Merci gets home and sacks Darnold.

Panthers punting with 1:44 left in the half.

Texans fair catch the punt at their 36.

Might be headed to a 7-0 halftime score.

Game is kinda blah..... Texans not taking chances - running the ball a lot and not doing a very good job at it....

[Arky]

Wooo! Texan offense comes alive!

Waste no time going down the field and finish with a 1 yard passing TD to Miller.

Argh, Slye misses the XP.

Panthers 7, Texans 6

25 seconds left in the half.

[Arky]

Mills at the half: 9/11, 79 yards, 7.2 avg, 1 TD, 0 INT, 126.9 rating.

Panthers ahead on 1st downs (12-7), yardage (187-108) and ToP (17:24 to 12:36) yet Texans only trail by one.

Texan run game just a 3.0 avg.

Might be a better 2nd half....